Risk assessment for neonatal RDS/TTN using gestational age and the amniotic lamellar body count in twin pregnancies.

BACKGROUND

The amniotic lamellar body count (LBC) is useful for predicting respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in twin pregnancies. However, the risk of neonatal respiratory complications varies with gestational age (GA). We herein created a model to predict the risk for RDS and TTN using GA and the LBC in twin pregnancies.

METHODS

Six hundred thirty-two amniotic fluid samples, comprising 169 dichorionic twin (DCT) and 147 monochorionic twin (MCT) gestations, were obtained at Cesarean section. The samples were analyzed immediately without centrifugation. A logistic regression model including the LBC and GA was used to develop the prediction model for RDS/TTN.

RESULTS

There were 101 neonates (16.0%) with RDS/TTN. The GA and LBC were significant independent factors affecting RDS/TTN. According to the logistic regression model, we determined the probability of RDS/TTN given the values of GA and the LBC. The overall diagnostic accuracy for predicting neonatal RDS/TTN using GA and the LBC was higher than the use of the LBC alone.

CONCLUSIONS

GA-specific LBC cutoffs for the risk assessment of neonatal RDS/TTN have been considered to be more accurate in twin pregnancies. Our findings provide valuable, new information for the management of twin pregnancies.